What is the recommended daily sodium intake for a cardiac diet?

Recommended Daily Sodium Intake for a Cardiac Diet

For adults who would benefit from blood pressure lowering, the recommended daily sodium intake is no more than 2,400 mg, with further reduction to 1,500 mg/day potentially providing even greater blood pressure reduction. 1

Tiered Sodium Intake Recommendations

• Consume no more than 2,400 mg of sodium per day as the primary target for adults with cardiovascular concerns 1
• Further reduction to 1,500 mg/day can result in even greater reduction in blood pressure and is particularly beneficial for:
  • People with hypertension
  • Middle-aged and older adults
  • African Americans 1
• Even without achieving these goals, reducing sodium intake by at least 1,000 mg/day from current levels will lower blood pressure 1

Population-Specific Considerations

• Nearly 70% of the U.S. adult population falls into groups that would benefit from the lower 1,500 mg/day sodium target 2
• The World Health Organization recommends reducing sodium intake to less than 2,000 mg per day (5 g salt) for the general population 1
• Current average sodium consumption in most countries ranges from 3,000 to 6,000 mg per day, significantly exceeding recommendations 3, 2

Clinical Benefits of Sodium Restriction

• Reducing sodium intake lowers blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease 1
• Based on predictive modeling, a population-wide reduction in sodium of 1,200 mg/day could reduce:
  • New cases of coronary heart disease by 60,000-120,000 annually
  • Stroke incidence by 32,000-66,000 cases annually 2

Controversies and Caveats

• Some recent observational studies suggest a J-shaped relationship between sodium intake and cardiovascular outcomes, with potential increased risk at both very high (>5,000 mg/day) and very low (<3,000 mg/day) sodium intake levels 3, 4, 5
• These controversial findings primarily come from studies of populations with existing cardiovascular disease or at high risk 6, 4
• The American Heart Association maintains its recommendation for <1,500 mg/day based on the robust evidence linking sodium reduction to blood pressure lowering 1
• Long-term clinical trials specifically examining cardiovascular outcomes (rather than just blood pressure) with different levels of sodium intake are still needed 4, 5

Practical Implementation

• Focus on reducing processed and restaurant foods, which account for the majority of sodium intake in Western diets 2
• Adopt a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, dietary fiber, whole grains, and plant proteins 1
• Read nutrition labels to identify and limit high-sodium foods
• Use herbs, spices, and salt-free seasonings to enhance flavor without adding sodium

Monitoring and Adherence

• Only 9.6% of U.S. adults currently meet their applicable recommended sodium limit 2
• Even a modest reduction in sodium intake is likely to result in substantial health benefits 1
• Regular blood pressure monitoring can help assess the impact of sodium reduction efforts

The evidence strongly supports sodium restriction as part of a cardiac diet, with the primary target being no more than 2,400 mg/day and further reduction to 1,500 mg/day for optimal blood pressure management in high-risk individuals.